Utilitarianism - achieving the greatest good for the greatest number. Well-known Western philosopher John Stuart Mill proposes the concept of utilitarianism as a moral standard by which to judge actions.

In Utopia (1516) Thomas More concocts a place, an island, with what he considers to be desirable religious, social and political practices - a place very unlike where he actually lived. It is a place "like Plato's Republic, only better". Utopia is often discussed for its political ideas and is seen as the seed for communist political thought, it is a great piece of work that continues to generate political discussion. Thought provoking through the ages.

Villette was Charlotte Bronte's last and most autobiographical novel. Loneliness, isolation, repression, emotional pain, unrequited love are strong elements and themes in the story. Lucy travels to work in a girl's boarding school. Despite a host of unfavourable circumstances Lucy is determined to be true to her independent spirit. In the end, Lucy wants the reader to imagine a happy ending. Will you?

A novel about the future that's closer than we think.

Lewis Shiner is a two-time finalist for the Nebula (Frontera, Deserted Cities of the Heart), a finalist for the Philip K. Dick (Frontera), and won the World Fantasy award for Glimpses.

This collection veers into the weird side of the Old West, with punks, communists, crooked sodbusters, and a touch of slide guitar.

This story is excerpted from Kadrey's second novel Kamikaze L'Amour. The novel is described by Mac Tonnies' Cyberpunk/Postmodern Book Reviews as "mesmerizing...a surreal (and distinctly Ballardian) account of synesthesia and mutant desire set in the jungle-choked ruins of L.A."